The first draft is a nightmare. It is a complete wreck. It is riddled with plot holes, inconsistent characters, unnecessary information and a whole lot of other big issues.
But regardless of these things--and I can't speak for all writers--the first draft is also Love At First Sight.
I don't see the fact that he's going to leave his dirty work socks on the floor, or that I may need to nag him to death to take out the garbage, or that he might chew his food with his mouth open. Incidentally, only the first one of those traits/habits is exhibited by my own husband. But Love at First Sight takes none of those things into account. And in that way, the First Draft is a lot like falling in love.
For me, it is the place of unlimited possibilities. It is the place where the rush of writing comes to the surface. If I get stumped on a scene or it's not working out, I sit back and figure out why. I mull it over until I can think of how to make that scene interesting, or how I can fit the puzzle piece together properly. But while all of that is going on, there is this wonderful feeling of freedom.
At least with the new book there is. And, I'm find a few people who are willing/capable of helping me figure out all the "science-y" stuff that I need for it. To help me fix those plot holes that I am busily covering up with generic terms to get me from Point A to Point B.
Will there be a lot of rewriting?
Heck yes.
Does that bother me?
Not in the least.
I am enjoying the process. Finding out about the story and the characters. It is coming along so quickly and nicely that I'm already sitting around 13k words and I only really started the book about 3 weeks ago. *Checks the creation date* Ah, I started it July 31. Nearly 3 weeks. And it is so much fun.
I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune come rewrites, but for now, I'll just take the time to admire the way his eyes sparkle, and how resonant his voice is, and how much I like the smell of his cologne. I'll focus on the dirty socks later.
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